From: PFLAG@aol.com Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 14:25:12 -0500 Subject: Monthly Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 29, 1996 Contact: Karyn Robinson, Communications Assistant Rob Banaszak, Communications Director 202-638-4200 e-mail: PFLAGComm@AOL.com PARENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS (PFLAG) KICK OFF FEBRUARY AND MARCH ACTIVITIES WITH "MOMS AND DADS GO TO WASHINGTON" More than 200 members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) journeyed to the District of Columbia for "Moms and Dads Go To Washington" during March. A California chapter hosted a celebrated comedian at a Project Open Mind Fundraiser. PFLAG received a prestigious media award and a new member was elected to the national board. Moms and Dads Go To Washington to Lobby for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act PFLAG Houston spearheaded "Moms and Dads Go To Washington," a week-long pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a federal bill aimed at protecting gay and lesbian people from being fired based on their sexual orientation. Currently, there is no federal law prohibiting job discrimination against lesbians and gay men. "Equal opportunity for employment is a family issue," said PFLAG national President Mitzi Henderson. "Basic to every family is the need for its members to earn a living. Yet for families with gay or lesbian children, that opportunity can be denied, PFLAG is committed to the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. It would give our children the same redress for unfair treatment that other workers already have." Moms and Dads came to Washington in a variety of ways. On March 16, a 55-seat bus left Houston and traveled through seven states, picking up families bound for Washington. So much excitement developed over "Moms and Dads Go To Washington" that PFLAG chapters around the country followed Houston's lead and made similar treks to D.C. After a meeting with White House Deputy Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, Marsha Scott, the first White House liaison with the gay and lesbian community, more than 200 parents lobbied members of Congress about ENDA on Tuesday, March 19, "We want to make the workplace safe for our children," explained Houston coordinator Gail Rickey. "We tell stories of gay men and lesbians who have been fired and people say, 'Why don't they sue?' Well, they can't -- they have no protection. We intend to obtain the same equal employment rights for our gay sons and daughters that our straight children currently enjoy. Our trip showed legislators the meaning of true family values. We made an impact." ENDA has received more than 131 co-sponsors in the House, and 20 co-sponsors in the Senate. PFLAG RECEIVES GLAAD MEDIA AWARD In Washington, D.C., the National Capital Area chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) presented PFLAG with its 1996 media award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Service/Advertising for Project Open Mind's two television commercials "Innocent" and "Bashing." PFLAG Executive Director Sandra Gillis accepted the award at the event dinner, held March 13. "PFLAG is honored to be recognized by the country's foremost gay and lesbian media organization," Gillis said. "This is truly a tribute to the power of our campaign. We understand the impact of positive messages about gay, lesbian and bisexual family members and friends. We also understand the negative implications of hate speech on those we love. PFLAG's Project Open Mind seeks to bring the truth about gay, lesbian and bisexual people to Americans, long subjected to destructive myths and inflammatory rhetoric about people we love." Robert K. Goodwin Elected to National Board Robert K. Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation, was elected to the national Board of Directors of PFLAG at the organization's February board meeting. Goodwin's term on PFLAG's board is effective immediately. Goodwin has had a distinguished and varied career. Since July 1995, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Points of Light Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Goodwin was Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Education's White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Earlier in his career, Goodwin was publisher of his family-owned weekly newspaper the Oklahoma Eagle. While a student he served as an associate pastor of several churches in Oklahoma and California. "I am enthusiastic about my appointment to PFLAG's national board," said Goodwin. "As a longtime advocate for social justice, I am proud to be part of an organization with effective and resonating voices about equality and justice. As a PFLAG leader, I can use my voice to speak out on behalf of my gay and lesbian friends, and on behalf of gay and lesbian people everywhere. Discrimination has no place in our society, and I am eager to utilize my talents and resources to denounce discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans, and to create a just world for all people." Suzanne Westenhoefer Headlines Project Open Mind Benefit PFLAG Modesto/Stanislaus held a fund-raiser for PFLAG and Project Open Mind on Saturday, February 10 at the State Theater in Modesto, California. Nationally known lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer appeared at the fundraiser with Mitzi Henderson, national PFLAG President. Westenhoefer has appeared on Comic Relief VII and had her own HBO special. More than $8,000 was raised for Project Open Mind. "We all had a wonderful time, it was a grand event for Modesto," said PFLAG Modesto/Stanislaus President Linda Warden, "We owe special thanks to Suzanne who donated her services for the event. PFLAG's profile in our community has been raised considerably. " Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure civil rights. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Serving more than 55,000 members, PFLAG affiliates are located in more than 389 communities across the United States, and in 11 other countries. ###